Here in Barcelona, it's the architects who built the buildings that made the city iconic who are the objects of admiration — not a bunch of half-witted monarchs.
Julie Burchill
Barcelona is Spain's second-largest city and one of the most visited in the world. With over 11 million tourists in 2024 alone, the city is popular for its blend of Gothic alleys, modernist landmarks, Mediterranean beaches, and world-class cuisine. It offers something for everyone, so if you're wondering what to do in Barcelona on your next trip, here are 10 unmissable experiences you should add to your itinerary.
| # | Attraction / Experience | Highlights | Location / Area | Visitor Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gothic Quarter & La Rambla | Medieval alleys, Cathedral, street performers, Mercat de la Boqueria | Barri Gòtic / La Rambla | Visit La Boqueria in the morning before crowds |
| 2 | City Centre & Plaça Catalunya | Central hub, fountains, shopping, Palau de la Música Catalana | Plaça Catalunya | Use Aerobús shuttle from airport; perfect meeting point |
| 3 | El Born & Parc de la Ciutadella | Trendy shops, tapas bars, Picasso Museum, Arc de Triomf, boating lake | El Born | Book Picasso Museum tickets in advance |
| 4 | Gràcia & Passeig de Gràcia | Casa Batlló, Casa Milà (La Pedrera), Casa Amatller, boutique shops | Passeig de Gràcia | Buy skip-the-line tickets for Gaudí houses |
| 5 | Barceloneta & the Beaches | 4 km coastline, Barceloneta Beach, Olympic Port, Aquarium | Barceloneta | Arrive early or at sunset for the best beach vibes |
| 6 | Montjuïc Hill | MNAC, Montjuïc Castle, Olympic Stadium, Magic Fountain, Miró Foundation | Montjuïc | Take the cable car or funicular; go at sunset for views |
| 7 | Gaudí’s Masterpieces | Sagrada Familia, Parc Güell, Casa Batlló, Casa Milà | Various (Eixample / Gràcia) | Always book tickets online to avoid queues |
| 8 | Barcelona’s Museums | MNAC, MACBA, Picasso Museum, Joan Miró Foundation | Montjuïc / El Born / El Raval | Many museums are free on Sunday afternoons |
| 9 | Best Views of Barcelona | Tibidabo, Collserola Tower, Parc Güell’s Virolai, rooftops | Tibidabo / Montjuïc / Gràcia | Time visits for golden hour for magical photos |
| 10 | Taste Local Flavours | Tapas, Catalan dishes, cava & vermut, food tours | Citywide | Try jamón ibérico & seafood at Mercat de la Boqueria |
The Gothic Quarter and La Rambla
When visiting Barcelona, the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic) should be one of your first stops. It's full of medieval streets, hidden courtyards, and centuries-old stone buildings. Step back in time by starting your walk at Plaça del Rei, which was once the seat of Catalan royalty. From there, continue to the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia.
stroll La Rambla.
After that, you follow the cobbled lanes to the famous La Rambla, the tree-lined boulevard that connects Plaça Catalunya to the waterfront. Millions of people visit this street every year to see buskers, flower stalls, and mosaic paving by the artist Joan Miró. There's also the Mercat de la Boqueria, which includes colourful stalls with fresh fruit, seafood, and Catalan delicacies. Grab some tapas and soak up the market atmosphere.
- Location: La Rambla, 91
- Best Time to Visit: Morning, before crowds build
- Must Try: Jamón ibérico, fresh fruit juices, seafood tapas
The City Centre and Plaça Catalunya
Plaça Catalunya is the city's central hub, which is a good place to find accommodation in Barcelona, but thanks to the transport connections, you can quickly get across the city no matter where you stay. This lively square serves as a meeting point and a gateway to the city's shopping streets, department stores, and its best transport connections. If your itinerary has you passing through Plaça Catalunya, make sure you include some time to explore it.
Plaça Catalunya is surrounded by fountains, statues, and remarkable architecture. From here, you can set off in any direction. North takes you to Gaudí's masterpieces on the Passeig de Gràcia. Head south to go to the Gothic Quarter or East to El Born.
You can find the Palau de la Música Catalana here. This modernist concert hall was designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner. With its stained-glass skylight and ornate mosaics, this is one of the most beautiful music venues in the world.
Plaça Catalunya is also the main stop for the Aerobús, the shuttle bus from Barcelona-El Prat Airport, making it a convenient starting point for your city adventure.
El Born and Parc de la Ciutadella
El Born is east of the Gothic Quarter. This is one of Barcelona's trendiest neighbourhoods with narrow lanes lined with artisan shops, chic bars, and some of the city's best tapas spots. This is a great place to spend a leisurely afternoon or an enjoyable evening. The Santa Maria del Mar Cathedral is a stunning Gothic building from the 14th century.
From El Born, you can head to the Parc de La Ciutadella, which was built for the 1888 Universal Exposition. This 70-acre park features wide lawns, fountains, and palm-lined promenades. Make sure to see the Cascada fountain, the boating lake, and the Arc de Triomf.
- Location: Passeig de Picasso, El Born
- Attractions: Arc de Triomf, Barcelona Zoo, boating lake, fountains
- Best For: Picnics, cycling, family outings
El Born is also home to the Picasso Museum, which houses over 4,000 works. Book tickets in advance, as this is one of the city's most popular attractions. El Born and the Parc de la Ciutadella are excellent choices for a slower pace.
Thinking about visiting Barcelona? Here's what you should know ahead of your trip.
Gràcia and Its Modernist Avenues
Gràcris is a neighbourhood that feels like a small town in Barcelona. It's home to lively plazas, boutique shops, and a specific local vibe. Walk down Passeig de Gràcia for examples of modernist architecture. This is one of the most elegant avenues in Spain.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites within just a few hundred metres, making it one of the densest concentrations of modernist architecture in the world.
Barceloneta and the City Beaches
One of the really special things about Barcelona is that it's a city by the sea. It has around 4km of coastline with 10 sandy beaches. The most famous is arguably the Barceloneta, which was once a fishing district but is now home to beach bars, seafood restaurants, and a promenade that's great for a stroll or a cycle.
Length: 1.1 km (most visited beach in the city)
Facilities: Showers, sunbeds, volleyball courts, lifeguards
Best Time: Early morning for quiet, sunset for atmosphere
Tip: Arrive by metro (Barceloneta station) or by bike to avoid traffic.
Barcelona is also home to the Olympic Port, which was built for the 1992 Games. There's a marina, fantastic nightlife, and the Barcelona Aquarium, one of the largest in Europe. At the base of La Rambla, you can see the Columbus Monument, which points out to sea.
Montjuïc
Montjuïc is a hill that rises above the city. This is a cultural and historic hub that played a key role during the 1992 Summer Olympics. Today, it remains a popular destination for sightseeing and is home to numerous attractions.
major attractions.
You can reach Montjuïc via cable car, funicular, or even on foot. Each route offers its own beautiful views of the city. For the best experience, time your visit for sunset, when Barcelona glows under golden light.
Gaudí’s Masterpieces
If you're visiting Barcelona, you have to see some of the architectural wonders of Antoni Gaudí. This visionary architect reshaped the city with his designs. These world-famous buildings are famous for their blend of nature, geometry, and colour. You can see the outside of them for free, which is great if you're visiting Barcelona on a budget, but you'll have to pay to visit the interiors.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites across Barcelona. More than any other architect in the city.
While everybody has their favourite example of Gaudí's signature architecture, we recommend visiting the Sagrada Familia Cathedral if you can only visit one. It's still under construction after 140 years, but you can visit it now.
Always book your tickets online to skip queues, especially for Sagrada Familia and Parc Güell, where time slots sell out quickly.
Interested in the engineering behind the Sagrada Familia?
Barcelona’s World-Class Museums
Barcelona is a treasure trove of museums and galleries. Whether you want to learn more about art, history, or the local culture, there's something for everyone. Here are a few of our favourites.
Many museums offer free entry on Sunday afternoons. A great way to enjoy Barcelona on a budget.
The Best Views Over the City
Thanks to the hills and rooftops across Barcelona, there are plenty of great views. Whether you want views or photos of the sea, the city, or the mountains, you can find great spots. These are just some of our favourites.
Best Places for Panoramas
For the most memorable photos, time your visit for golden hour just before sunset. Watching the city light up as day turns into night is one of the most magical experiences Barcelona has to offer.
Taste Barcelona: Tapas, Markets, and Local Flavours
You can't visit Barcelona without trying the local cuisine. Make sure your plan for visiting Barcelona considers what you'll eat, too! After all, food is at the heart of the city's culture. The aforementioned Mercat de la Boqueria, located just off La Rambla, is filled with stalls selling a wide range of products, from jamón ibérico to cheese and fresh seafood. Enjoy a quick bite while soaking up the lively atmosphere.
For a sit-down meal, try Catalan dishes like escalivada (roasted vegetables), fideuà, or crema catalana. Neighbourhoods like El Born and Gràcia offer numerous great places with reasonable prices.
Pair your tapas with a glass of cava (Catalan sparkling wine) or vermut, both local favourites.
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